Why Japan should be on every Australian's list?

The thing I most like about Japan is the quiet dignity of its people.

It's difficult today to take our eyes off Japan. We are transfixed by the tsunami disaster, which appears to have killed thousands or tens of thousands of people, as it was the first such natural catastrophe to have been beamed around the world on live television. Not even the 2004 tsunami in south-east Asia was captured in such arresting, real-time terror.

In fact, Japan is a country that Australians find mostly uninteresting, the tourism figures tell us. Fewer than 100,000 Australians travel there every year, whereas the number of Australians travelling to neighboring China has become a flood of around 350,000 a year and is climbing towards 500,000 in the next decade, according to the forecasts.

Natural, you might think. China is so big and has all that history and many places of natural beauty.

But, on another level, Japan already has the prosperity that modern China is just striving for. Everything in Japan works like a bought one, to use the vernacular.

It helps if you appreciate things like engineering. The punctuality and speed of the train system are legendary, so it's simple and quick to get around, even without a car. The "infrastructure" – roads, bridges, key buildings – are top-class. Everything is planned.

Even better, the Aussie dollar buys lots of yen these days, so all the old stories about how expensive Japan is have largely become irrelevant. And it's an excellent stopover en route to Europe as prices via both Japan and Korea remain competitive.

There are plenty of beautiful spots, from the snow-capped mountains up north to the islands down south. Without the chaos of south-east Asia, there's space to get away from the crowds or join them in an indulgent tour of the local cooking.

The thing I most like about Japan is the quiet dignity of its people. And, even if you don't speak Japanese, you can engage the locals by just making an effort to get up to speed on key words to help you get around.

Yet Japan is just not on the Australian radar. We spent the weekend looking at terrible pictures of awesome natural events. But the people bearing the brunt of nature's fury are people we collectively don't know. Even the former influx of Japanese tourists to Australia (800,000 a year) has halved.

The latest calamity is going to batter the Japanese economy, even though the damage is confined to a relatively small coastal region of Honshu island. It wouldn't hurt to pop in and say hello.

Have you been to Japan? Or is it a destination you've never thought about? Are there specific things that have put you off? Is it on your list of places to visit?
Comments

I went to Japan in September 09 (mostly because Jetstar had sales for for roughly $450 return) -- at that price I couldn't say no. There is so much to see and do, in the 2 weeks I was there I only saw such a small amount of the country. I plan on returning again soon.

NickJDalton | Brisbane - March 14, 2011, 11:53AM

The reasons? Aussies are cheap and thus they prefer to go to countries where their dollars goes further, whereas in Japan, Aussies feel poor there given the costs of everything. Aussies sound like a flock of birds, as it always revolves around the words 'Cheap cheap cheap' ... Notice that word is repeated in many places today, cheap eats, cheap travels, you name it cheap etc. This is the reality ...

VoiceOfTheLocals | NSW - March 14, 2011, 12:03PM

I've been to Japan multiple times and each time it has been better than the last. My first trip was thanks to a cheap flight that gave me a stopover on the way to Europe. It is such a charming country. The people are amazing, the culture so rich and the landscape (both cities, and countryside) so engaging. It's a real gem. Using the Japanese tourism office to book places to stay is my tip. They are incredibly helpful both in Sydney and in Japan.

Macro | Sydney - March 14, 2011, 12:06PM

@VoiceOfTheLocals | NSW - March 14, 2011, 12:03PM
Maybe people seek cheap holidays because they are sick of being ripped off trying to live in Australia (esp Sydney).

Chris | Sydney - March 14, 2011, 12:13PM

We went there in January because my husband wanted to go skiing - and I was dreading it! But I went, spent 12 days there, and had to be dragged back onto the return flight. It was wonderful!!! Relatively inexpensive, amazing food, the people were so incredibly polite and kind, the landscapes, city streets, public spaces, indoors, outdoors - everywhere - was incredibly, unbelievably clean and user-friendly. There was nothing - nothing I could complain about. My age-worn & cynical heart goes out to the Japanese people for the spot of bother they are currently in - but as soon as their power is back on, I'll be back there!

Amazed | Brisbane - March 14, 2011, 12:18PM

A small group of friends and I have accommodations and flights booked for May this year to Japan. I admit that I have more than my fair share of jitters as to how this recent natural catastrophe that hit northern Japan will affect our trip. Nonetheless, I hope to get the most of the trip.

Budding Traveller | Sydney - March 14, 2011, 12:19PM

Japan is a fantastic holiday destination. The accepted wisdom that it is a hugely expensive place to visit is a gross exaggeration. If you want to stay in fancy hotels, eat good western food and catch taxis everywhere then it's going to be expensive. Cheap Japanese food is fantastic and the transport system is unbelievable. Mid-range accommodation is perfectly acceptable, comfortable and clean. The people are extremely welcoming. Give them a chance to restore some semblance of order and do yourselves a favour.

jofek - March 14, 2011, 12:21PM

Just got back from there two weeks ago. Had an amazing time in Tokyo and the ski fields. Would definitely recommend it to anyone. Great food, great people and so much to see.

aj - March 14, 2011, 12:26PM

I keep on going back to Japan almost every year. There is so much to see in Japan. It's actually lots more than one would imagine. Landscape of Japan changes as you head from south to north. Same goes with the weather and food. From the southern island of Okinawa to Wakkanai in Hokkaido there is a massive difference. Last month I went to the Sapporo snow festival for the 5th time and it's a must to see during the beginning of February every year. The ski resorts around Niseko are awesome and mainly run by Australian entrepreneurs.

Try Shikoku island next to Kanto region to see ancient Japan, too. Life is quite laid back there with almost no change from the ancient time. I went to Takamatsu and Matsumaya in Shikoku Island. Spend your time in Hiroshima to pay tribute to the deceased people in the horrific atomic bomb explosion. It's quite easy to say they probably deserved it (for some people) but I can guarantee that tears will come down from your eyes when you see the destruction first-hand in your eyes if you are human being.

Kuds Van | Singapore - March 14, 2011, 12:27PM

Having been to Japan many times, it is a great place to visit. I was only there 3 weeks ago for my nephew's wedding. My brother married a Japanese and has lived there over 30 years. It is a pleasure to go somewhere that is safe, clean and organised. The people are polite and it is nice to go somewhere that is CIVILISED. And there is lots to see and do. And if you are going to be caught in a natural disaster, ironically the best place to get caught is Japan. They all know what to do when it starts shaking and flooding. Contrast what happens in Japan with Australian fires and floods, Haitian earthquakes etc etc. The fact that quite small kids travel around all over the place on trains shows how civilised it is. Contrast that with the Frankston train line after dark. Or our CBD at the weekend. What surprises me is that the Japanese come here at all. Japanese deep down probably think we are a lot of barbarians. One train trip in Melbourne would convince them they are right.